Towing 30' 2018 Classic with 2019 Ram 1500 Limited

[VernDiesel]

I have the Green Diesel Engineering tune. You can read about it on their site or the ram1500diesel forum. The software driven exhaust brake is a great feature when towing over the Appalachians as you will. I also have axle to frame air bags check out Timbergroves. You don't need the expensive compressor just the bags. They compliment the WDH support control dampen the rear suspension so that even great weight over grooved and rutted curves is controlled and compliant.

[Grace-n-Pup]

Just a thought you probably carry health and life insurance and try to save extra money for retirement just in case. Why not carry a little extra tow vehicle "insurance" by going with a 2500. Instead of always guessing if you're going to be over on payload or if the 1500 is going to do the job. That's why we went with the 2500 HD no question on whether it could do the job or not for our 25 SS Safari. Just by researching on here we found all of the options with the trailer package just made me feel better. The heavier truck, the exhaust brake and hill decent control as well. Thanks to all of those that posted in the past on other strings that helped us to choose the right truck for us. Some may say it is to much truck but it only takes that one close call to really make you think I should have went with a bigger truck. We didn't want to be in that situation. We are going to be carrying kayaks as well and those put us to close to the payload as ours are Hobies.

[sbowman]

Originally Posted by rmesfo

The dealers are really proud of their 3/4 and one ton HD's and it is reflected in the price. We went with a used F250 Powerstroke with 100K, one owner and well maintained for 20K. Works like a dream and you ALWAYS know you are not going to be skating on the edge. Worth a lot more than money.

Good luck on your search.

Understand. We looked at used for couple years, I am a big used guy. FORD guy for 40 years. 1st diesel, IMHO one can not beat a Cummins for many reasons. Used was w/in 6k of new. Last truck, 6k was not nothing at this time in our lives.



Safe travels and best regards

[DSteed]

Tom, you didn’t mention where you would be towing your trailer and what your totaled loaded weight would be, if you are going to the Smokies, Blueridge, or Pocono Mountains you will become sad very quickly. I live in the Blueridge Mountains and have no choice, but to drive out and into these beautiful Mountains.
I have a 2008 27 fb twin, and did own a 2014 Ram 1500 limited.
We had our trailer restyled last year and up grades included new flooring, new Corian counter tops, added two new closest a built in Dog crate and home style ceramic toilet. Due to the increase in weight I had new Axles Installed with no lube never a just brakes and New 16 inch wheels with Michelin’s. I would think that this is the same setup you have on your new classic. My total loaded out weight is very close to 8800 lbs with about 820 pound tongue weight.
I made my trailer weight go over what I could safely stop with my 1500, not to even mention constant down shifts even on level roads.
Still I felt I was safe.... until my Bride said we were headed on a 4 month trip to the far west and into the Rockies and up into Oregon and Washington State.
Huh, time to make a change in tow vehicle..... So I sold my Limited and took that cash and 22 thousand other bucks and purchased a 2018 Ram 2500 with the 6.7 Cummins. OMG I should have done this years ago...took a practice trip up to Monte Sano State Park in Ala. 1650 feet almost straight up.... couldn’t even tell the trailer was back their.
I could actually accelerate up any grade. Coming down, turn on Exhaust Brake and had to touch brake one time all the way down the mountain. The back brakes on the 2500 are larger then the front brakes on the 1500 and front brakes are massive.
The old timers on the forum tried to tell me to go with the diesel, now I know why.
I hope the new Torque added by e torque is enough and I know Ram has also increased brakes size on the 2019. Hopefully you will be totally happy.
IMHO you will come to the same choice I made down the Road.... just a side note 2018 2500’s with 6.7 are being discounted for more then 15,000 right now.
Good luck with your Ram.... I loved my 1500, but my 2500 is a truck that I will be buried in , I have said that for my last three Rams.

[brick1]

Yes, you should be within capacity of a 1/2 ton, but might run out of payload when you add up everything you plan to bring along. A 3/4 ton diesel will do the trick.

[SnowWanderer]

I have a 2019 Ram 1500 Limited, 4x4, 5.7L V-8 Hemi MDS VVT engine, 8 speed auto 8HP75 transmission, 3.92 rear axle ratio, 33 gal tank, trailer tow group, anti spin rear differential, 6' 4" box, sunroof, along with all the other standard features except the one with 19 speakers in the passenger compartment!

The door sticker indicates:
GAWR front 3900
GAWR rear 4100
GVWR 7100.

The yellow sticker indicates combined occupants and cargo, 1406 pounds.

I was going to attach photos of the window and door stickers, but was unable to attach them to this post. I am not sure why it would not work.

[DSteed]

Originally Posted by SnowWanderer

I have a 2019 Ram 1500 Limited, 4x4, 5.7L V-8 Hemi MDS VVT engine, 8 speed auto 8HP75 transmission, 3.92 rear axle ratio, 33 gal tank, trailer tow group, anti spin rear differential, 6' 4" box, sunroof, along with all the other standard features except the one with 19 speakers in the passenger compartment!



The door sticker indicates:

GAWR front 3900

GAWR rear 4100

GVWR 7100.



I was going to attach photos of the window and door stickers, but was unable to attach them to this post. I am not sure why it would not work.

Same sticker on Ram 2500...[ATTACH]33813

[Gondul]

Originally Posted by brick1

Yes, you should be within capacity of a 1/2 ton, but might run out of payload when you add up everything you plan to bring along. A 3/4 ton diesel will do the trick.

Diesel engine chews up about 800+#s of payload...

[Gondul]

Originally Posted by SnowWanderer

I have a 2019 Ram 1500 Limited, 4x4, 5.7L V-8 Hemi MDS VVT engine, 8 speed auto 8HP75 transmission, 3.92 rear axle ratio, 33 gal tank, trailer tow group, anti spin rear differential, 6' 4" box, sunroof, along with all the other standard features except the one with 19 speakers in the passenger compartment!

The door sticker indicates:
GAWR front 3900
GAWR rear 4100
GVWR 7100.

The yellow sticker indicates combined occupants and cargo, 1406 pounds.

I was going to attach photos of the window and door stickers, but was unable to attach them to this post. I am not sure why it would not work.

My 1500 Limited has a payload of 1310#.... in as much as I *really* love this truck, numbers are not where we would like them to be so it is getting traded in for the 2500 I ordered.

[out of sight]

Originally Posted by Gondul

My 1500 Limited has a payload of 1310#.... in as much as I *really* love this truck, numbers are not where we would like them to be so it is getting traded in for the 2500 I ordered.

I have seen a RAM 1500 4x4 diesel limited fully loaded in the 900 lb payload range. Can't tow much with that.

[Life is a Highway]

You will be at max and more white knuckled than with a 2500. You need the increased payload and BRAKES.

If you can reorder or cancel RUN do not walk away from a 1/2 ton with a 30.

[brick1]

Yes, the diesel option eats into payload. And options also reduce available payload. My F250 diesel has just under 2400 lbs payload where the gas version will be north of 3000 lbs.

[out of sight]

Originally Posted by brick1

Yes, the diesel option eats into payload. And options also reduce available payload. My F250 diesel has just under 2400 lbs payload where the gas version will be north of 3000 lbs.

The Ram 2500 diesel puts more than 800 lbs extra weight in the front axle.

[Life is a Highway]

Beautiful job with your trailer.

We had a 1/2 and when towing it was ok but it was like wow we’re pulling a trailer.

Then as you did we replace it with a 3/4 ton Diesel with towing camera options.

Now it’s like is there a even trailer back there. I’ve been on both sides I think once your 25 ft and over a 3/4 ton is so much safer.

And as previously mentioned common sense and reasonable speed is a important factor

[Al and Missy]

Our 2013 Ram 2500 Cummins pulled our 9100# Classic 30 Slideout up to 11,000ft on the Snowy Range Scenic Byway last year without a single complaint. I wouldn't have liked to do that with a 1/2T of any make.

Airstreaming is for enjoying, not worrying about what is around the next turn.

Al

[DSteed]

Originally Posted by Al and Missy

Our 2013 Ram 2500 Cummins pulled our 9100# Classic 30 Slideout up to 11,000ft on the Snowy Range Scenic Byway last year without a single complaint. I wouldn't have liked to do that with a 1/2T of any make.

Airstreaming is for enjoying, not worrying about what is around the next turn.

Al

Yep even in these little Blue Ridge Mountains a climb up Hog pin gap in a 1500 is pushing to keep 35 mph and the scary part is heading down the other side.

[Horsedogcat5]

I ranch so I have an F350 Powerstroke. Also a 31' 1985 Excella. It's perfect. I rarely move my AS, but when I do its heavy because I live in it. What if you want to load up the back of your pickup with wood, gear or whatever? It's better not to be on the low end.

[out of sight]

The trend seems to be with bigger and bigger rigs. As we speak a Freightliner Super C pulled in towing his color coordinated garage with his two color coordinated hogs inside.

[Silvertwinkie]

Originally Posted by Tom Lawn

Just picked up our 2018 -30' Classic. Replaced our 25' safari so have to step up to a bigger towing vehicle with for 10,000 # and 886 #hitch weight.

Careful on the hitch weight....we just had a discussion about this on another thread and the posted hitch weights are very conservative. For example, my specs indicated about 850lbs, in reality, not even loaded, I was pushing 975 with 2 full bottles of LP and 2 batteries. Many on the forum have found theirs even exceeding 1000lbs.


I have a 6.0L 3/4 ton and I have to say if you plan on staying on the flatland, you should be fine, but if you plan on doing any mountain hauling, it's hard to beat 900+ ft/lbs of torque at 1700-1800 rpms with a gasser, even with 4.10 gears as I have. I would implore you not to skimp on the tow vehicle. 10k, even 9k partially loaded is a lot of weight to move.

[lkm4321]

6 months ago purchased Ram Big Horn 1500 with Hemi, 3.93 gears, Towing capacity 11,000lbs. Door sticker says 1850 payload, got an E-mail fro
m Ram saying 1950 payload. I have a 27'FC FB, Blue Ox Hitch with 1000lb bars, Fully loaded scale says 3100 front( max 3700) 4250 rear( max 4150) tt 6150. Have the blue ox chains at 9 links. Am a little over at the rear and a little lite on the front, Just finished a 3,000 mile trip an d the truck did ok with 9 links on the chain. I'm thinking if I go to 10 links, the front will be at stock weight( 3200lbs). And the rear should come down closer to the 4100 max, Thoughts ?